Translated COVID-19 resources - available in 50+ languages
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resourcescoronavirus-
Victorian Government - Coronavirus homepage
https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398
Overview of financial support for people of migrant & refugee backgrounds during COVID-19
Here is the announcement re doubling of hardship payments: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/doubling-hardship-support-victorias-most-vulnerable
Q&As on our website go into more of the operational detail: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/financial-support-coronavirus-covid-19#extreme-hardship-support-program
JobKeeper:
https://www.ato.gov.au/general/jobkeeper-payment/employees/
JobSeeker
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/jobseeker-payment
Social Security benefits and concessions
Some Australian citizens and residents may be eligible for a range of financial support through Services Australia (Centrelink), in addition to Coronavirus Supplement ($550 p/fn, reduced to $250 p/fn from Sept 25) and/or the Economic Support Payment $750).
https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments
Special Benefit
This fortnightly payment similar to JobSeeker is for people in severe financial hardship through no fault if their own, with savings under $5000, and can’t get other income support from Services Australia (Centrelink), perhaps because they do not meet the residency requirements.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/special-benefit
Emergency Relief Payment
Australian Red Cross receives Federal Government funding specifically to support people who are on temporary visas with a small one-off emergency relief payment, to help them meet their basic needs, like food, medicine or shelter.
https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/help-for-migrants-in-transition/help-for-migrants-in-transition
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
Support of $1500 lump sum payment to help Victorians during the 14 days who cannot earn an income because they are required to self-isolate or quarantine at home, as instructed by the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services. Or they are caring for someone with COVID-19.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment
Household Relief Loan
The Federal Government with National Australia Bank and Good Shepherd are providing no interest loans up to $3,000 towards rent and utilities, paid to the agent/landlord or utility company.
https://householdrelief.org.au/
Early Release of Superannuation
For people who have been adversely financially affected by COVID-19, they may be able to access some of their superannuation early.
https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/super/in-detail/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/covid-19-early-release-of-super/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20been%20adversely,to%20%2410%2C000%20of%20their%20super.
Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS)
Individuals or families may be eligible to receive support through SRSS if they are:
• unlawful and living in the Australian community – particularly if they are engaged with International Office of Migration (IOM) with a view to returning to their home country
• an illegal maritime arrival (IMA) and have lodged a TPV or SHEV visa application
• a non-IMA and have lodged a valid protection visa application
• a holder of a Bridging Visa E (BVE)
• facing significant barriers that are impacting on their ability to resolve their immigration status or their ability to work
• recently released from immigration detention.
To enquire contact Life Without Barriers in Dandenong on 8752 8500 or AMES intake worker at Noble Park on 0402 977 140
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/status-resolution-service/status-resolution-support-services
COVID-19 Rent Relief Grant
https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/help-renting/rentrelief
Extreme Hardship Support Program
https://www.redcross.org.au/vicrelief
Homeless and Housing support initiatives during COVID-19
The State Government’s program to shelter homeless Victorians in hotels during the coronavirus pandemic has been extended until April next year
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/housing-and-homelessness-coronavirus-covid-19
Isolation and Recovery Facilities
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/housing-and-homelessness-coronavirus-covid-19
COVID-19 Emergency relief package
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/self-quarantine-coronavirus-covid-19
COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/employee-isolation-payment-covid-19
Work off Fines (WDP)
The Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme is an initiative of the Victorian Government to provide vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial option to address their fine debt by participating in certain activities and treatment, including:
• unpaid work
• treatment given by a doctor, nurse or psychologist
• courses, including educational, vocational or life skills courses
• counselling, including financial or other types of counselling
• drug and alcohol counselling, and
• mentoring (for a person under 25 years of age).
When applying for a WDP, a supervising sponsor will help a person to choose the activities that are best suited to their needs. A sponsor is an organisation or a health practitioner accredited to support the WDP scheme.
To work off their fines a person must be engaged with a sponsor and must:
• have a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or illness, OR
• have an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance, OR
• be experiencing homelessness, OR be experiencing acute financial hardship, OR be the victim of family violence.
https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wdp
Utility bills relief, grants and assistance
https://www.ewov.com.au/resources/hot-topics/having-trouble-paying-your-energy-or-water-bill-help-is-available-april-2017
Material Aid & Meals
Each region has a range of agencies, churches and organisations who are providing material aid even during the pandemic.
Search by postcode: https://askizzy.org.au/food-banks/
COVID Hardship Support Hotline 1300 121 130
householdrelief.org.au
No Interest Loans Scheme
www.nils.com.au or call 13 64 57
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